The Jets’ coaching search technically started with the firing of Todd Bowles on Dec. 30, but they were mulling their options much earlier than that, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY hears. Although Bowles had a contract through the 2020 season, the Jets started doing their homework in mid-November after an embarrassing 41-10 home loss to the Bills.
Despite their denials, the Jets had early interest in Jim Harbaugh, Vacchiano hears. The Jets did background work on the Michigan head coach, but ultimately concluded that he wasn’t the right fit, possibly due to his desire for too much power, too much money, or a lack of desire to leave Ann Arbor.
Here’s more on how the Jets’ coaching search unfolded, plus other news out of New York/New Jersey:
- The Jets started asking around about Mike McCarthy after he was fired by the Packers in December, but they were concerned about his sensitivity to criticism and how it might be amplified by the New York press, Vacchiano hears. There were also reports that McCarthy would consider sitting out the 2019 season, which may have given the Jets additional pause. McCarthy’s interview was not bad, per se, but Vacchiano hears that he did not hit it out of the park.
- Adam Gase, on the other hand, leaped over McCarthy with a strong interview in which he displayed the energetic personality that the Jets wanted. Even though Gase went 23-25 in three years with the Dolphins, the Jets did not forget about his reputation as a hot offensive assistant just three years ago, Vacchiano writes.
- New Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has agreed to a three-year deal with the club, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Before the Jets hired him, the Redskins made a push to land him as their DC.
Ah, so Gase was just being “energetic” during that presser.
He is very socially awkward.
It’s over. Gase is the Head Coach.
Jets might not have noticed, but for the past 17 years or so, their division rival’s HC Belichick isn’t the most energetic guy in the world.
Belichek may be the 2nd best tormentor of media in our society.
I sometimes think his media games were divinely inspired…link to checkraise.com
I guess reality won’t hit until the first game of the season when the announcers call him out on the sideline. Until then I’m going to pretend it’s just a prank.
So a typical Jets interview goes something like this:
GM: “Do you know much about offense?”
Candidate: “Not much”
GM: “How about defense?”
Candidate: “I’m learning a bit”
GM: “And special teams?”
Candidate: “Not a thing”
GM: “Do you drink Red Bull or Ensure?”
Candidate: “Yep..they give me an energy boost”
GM: “Okay…your hired!”
Lol